Featured Events
Spirit Paddle kicks off festival on Friday
To kick off the festival, we are hosting a Spirit Paddle on Friday, August 19. The event is in celebration of, and gratitude for the beautiful waters of Kalamalka Lake, drinking water for most of Greater Vernon and Coldstream. Everyone interested is invited to join SPKL at 5pm on Kal Beach, located at the north end of Kal Lake in Coldstream.
5:00pm – Beach Cleanup and walk through
6:00pm – The group will depart from Kal Beach and paddle in-and-around the North end of Kalamalka Lake.
– Open to all human powered watercraft (SUPS, Canoes, Kayaks)
– Rentals available by Donation to SPKL
What to Bring:
1. A non-motorized watercraft
2. PFD, Lifejacket and other necessary water safety equipment as required by law
3. Postitive Spirit
What is the iSUP Scramble?
A inflatable-only SUP event designed to get everyone’s feet we… literally. – Divided into heats of up to 14 paddlers, you’ll leave the beach and onto your board around a short buoy-riddled course.. BUT, here’s the catch. The ‘Scramble’ part will be discovered before each race so be prepared for changes. Bring your friends cuz you can register on the day and cuz it’s going to be very entertaining to watch.
80% prepared format / 20% improv scramble
Boards are supplied by Twin Fish and Kalavida in two sizes:
10’6 x 32″ x 5″ and 11’6 x 33″ x 6″.
What to bring: SUP Paddle and enthusiasm
It looks sort of like this but since it’s a new event, you get to be in the pics.
Which Class will you be in?
- Competitive Men (King of Kalamalka)
- Competitive Women (Queen of Kalamalka)
- Open Women 19+
- Open Women Masters 50+
- Open Men 19+
- Open Men Masters 50+
- Junior Boys 13-18
- Junior Girls 13-18
10 Miles of Scenic SUP
Behold the amazing Kalamalka Crossing (sponsored by Original Joes Restaurant), the scenic 10-mile trek across the full length of our warm and colourful lake. Do it for the exercise, for the challenge, or race it to beat the clock and a shot at King and Queen of Kalamalka Title.
Where do you fit in?
You can choose between crossing the lake for the pure fun of doing it or race across to beat the clock. There are categories for Open (Recreational) and Competitive paddlers. (Open is divided into age groups and board size)
Think you can’t do it? Think again – here’s some inspiration:
- Davide Cina of Vancouver crossed in a time of 1:35:29 (Fastest male) *2019
- Lina Augaitis of Vancouver crossed in a time of 1:39:42 (Fastest female) *2019
- 13 year old Mia Wheatley crossed in a time of 2:32
- Amanda Uhlmer crossed on her old windsurf board in a time of 3:26
- 68 year old Travis Prewitt of Liberty Lake, WA crossed in 2:05!
Eagle Run SUP Challenge
– For Beginners & Newer paddlers
A scenic 3 mile paddle around the North end of Kalamalka Lake. Heading Southeast from Kalamalka Beach paddlers swing by Bishops Bird Sanctuary before veering West and across to the West side of the lake near the Okanagan Rail Trail. It’s a laid back, easy course that almost anyone can do. Think of it as ‘my first SUP race’.
Classes:
- Open/Recreational Men – 14′ displacement boards
- Open/Recreational Women – 14′ displacement boards
- Open/Recreational Men – 12’6 & under displacement boards
- Open/Recreational Women – 12’6 & under displacement boards
- Roots – All-round SUP & Inflatable
- Competitive Men
- Competitive Women
- Junior Boys
- Junior Girls
- Tandem
Who Should Enter? Anyone who newer to the sport and wants to get their feet wet. Ideal for newbies and beginner paddlers.
Register early and save
After two years off, the Kal Classic is back on the water this August 20 & 21. There are events for all levels and abilities, both for kids and adults. Register now.
10 Festive Reasons
Here’s 10 fun reasons/excuses to book your holidays for August 20-21. The 11th sometimes-Annual Kalamalka Classic will feature all of the classic events along with a few new additions. Here’s 10 reasons to book your holidays or call in sick.
- Kalamalka Lake – Canada’s most scenic lake for paddle boarding. If you haven’t experienced it yet, then this is your chance.
- (New!) Okanagan Rail Trail – The trail is open and already popular with locals and visitors. You can ride all the way to Oyama along the West side of the lake. Bring a bike or rent one while you are here.
- Kalamalka Crossing – The 10 mile scenic trek across the length of the lake is one of the most amazing SUP experiences. Do it solo or with a friend.
- Prizes – Tons of prizes from sponsors for all events and special prizes for the King and Queen of Kalamalka.
- Eats and Treats-Kick back after the day’s events and some tasty food, music and good times.
- Meet new paddlers – It’s a great chance to connect the ever growing community of paddlers where you’ll meet folks from across Canada and beyond.
- Kid Friendly – There are a variety of events on Saturday just for kids including the Keiki Holo Kids race.
- Get educated! The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake and Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society will be on-site to help educate us about the threats to our lake and other waterways.
- Enjoy the sights and sounds of Vernon – There’s lots to do in the region including a variety of family-friendly places. Visit Original Joe’s Restaurant and Martens Brew Pub and check out Davison’s Orchard, Planet Bee, Silver Star Mtb Park, Predator Ridge Golf and even Oyama Zipline.
- Demo a Board– Try out new boards and paddles from a variety of vendors
Keeping Kal Lake Blue
With Kalamalka Lake becoming one of the most popular paddleboarding locations in BC, we have naturally seen more activity on the lake year after year. In 2010, we joined forces with SPKL (The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake) and have donated almost $10,000 over the past 11 years to help Keep Kal Blue.
The Kalamalka Classic SUP Festival serves are main fundraiser for our yearly donation and the paddleboard community has become huge advocates for the protection of the lake.
This year’s 10th Anniversary Kal Classic will place the emphasis on protecting the lake from invasive Quagga and Zebra Mussels. Here’s a great video to highlight our cause.
Splash Mob – Protecting Our Freshwater from Protect Our Freshwater on Vimeo.
B.C. currently has a boat inspection program in place, with inspection stations operating from April-October at all border crossings. One of those stations, located at Golden on the Trans Canada Highway, is open 24-hours. The other stations, however, only run during daylight hours. Between April 1st and Sept. 23, 22 mussel-fouled watercraft were intercepted coming into B.C.
Morrice has been calling on the B.C. government to raise more funds and increase all the inspection stations to 24 hours.
“With all those stations closed overnight, it’s a mathematical inevitability that an infested boat is going to come through after hours, launch in B.C. waters, and then it’s game over said Brynne Morrice, the films producer. “Say goodbye to our beaches, our lakeshores, our fish, our clean drinking water, our summer tourism, our property values,” he adds.
KC 2.0 – August 20 & 21
Whew… what a crazy couple of years hey? We have missed the energy and excitement of the ‘Kal Classic’ and we’re back in action this year. The 11th Kalamalka Classic will run on August 20 & 21. Stay tuned for details and hype!
The iconic 10-mile Kalamalka Crossing will run on the Sunday, while Saturday’s events will include a kids event, inflatable SUP challenge and more.
2019 Results
Results from the 2019 Kalamalka Classic are posted. Congrats to everyone who enjoyed 3 amazing days of SUP on Kalamalka Lake with us.
Kalamalka Crossing
Rail Trail Recreational Challenge
2019 Royalty:
Queen of Kalamalka: Lina Augaitis, Coldstream, BC
King of Kalamalka: Adam Gerbrecht, North Vancouver, BC
Jr. Queen of Kalamalka: Ava Halperin, Kelowna, BC
Jr. King of Kalamalka: William Smart, Squamish, BC
The Events, Explained….
Whether you’re new to standup or have been paddling for a few years, the Kal Classic features events for all levels and ages. And if you are new to the sport, the festival serves as a great way to try out some recreational events/races without any pressure or stress. You can race at your own pace so to speak. Here’s some info on each of the events.
RAIL TRAIL RECREATIONAL CHALLENGE (2.5 Miles): Open/Recreational – All boards
Saturday, August 24
Short Course race for recreational athletes of all ages and levels. Easy going short course in and around the North end of Kalamalka lake. You’ll pass by Bishop’s Bird Sanctuary and blaze a watery trail with other like-minded recreational paddlers across the lake to where the Okanagan Rail Trail meets Kal Lake. Sure there are prizes but it’s more about the fun than the famous. All boards welcome, costumes encouraged!
Who should race this? Anyone who wants to experience a recreational race or use it as a form of exercise or warm up for other events.
WIKI HOLO: Short Course
Saturday, August 24 – Qualifying Heats, Finals
Divided into two or more heats, you’ll sprint from the beach and onto your board and around a short buoy-riddled course. It’s a spectator-friendly event that serves up exciting head-to-head competition. Part 1 of the King & Queen of Kalamalka quest.
Who should race this? Everyone… who want’s to be a part of the funnest event in the Festival. For the Recreational classes, it’s one photo opportunity after another. For the Competitive classes, it’s like Tough Mudder on a paddleboard.
KEIKI HOLO: 400 Yard short course for Kids, 13 & Under
Saturday, August 25 (Any board 12′ in length and shorter)
Here’s a fun event for the kids – They all leave the beach at the same time and paddle around the inner buoys in shallow area for fun and prizes. Any board under 12′ in length.
Who should race this? All kids 13 & Under. They will be divided by age groups and get a short mini clinic before they go for it.
KALAMALKA CROSSING – The Classic event – Open to everyone
Sunday, August 25 – Starts in Oyama, ends at Kal Beach
One of Canada’s most iconic bucket list SUP Races – The Kalamalka Crossing. A scenic 10-mile trek across the full length of the lake. Starting in Oyama on Wood Lake Beach, you’ll dash from the beach around a buoy and then through the channel that connects the two lakes heading North towards Kal Beach. Do it for the exercise, for the challenge, or race it to beat the clock.
Who should race this? Everyone – it’s one of the most beautiful lakes in BC – enjoy it while you can. Newer paddlers should finish between 2.5-3.5 hours while the keeners will reach the beach in under 2 hours.
So, there you have it – hope to see you there.
